Benefits to re-MEMBER

To be a member of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) has promising outcomes for both the member and the city’s tourism body. In order to strive for responsible tourism and enhance the image of Nelson Mandela Bay as a destination a close relationship between the two parties is of utmost importance.

The membership forum provides tourism related product owners with a platform to enhance their business through various interactive marketing avenues. It is vital for NMBT to have this relationship with the private sector in order to promote and market Nelson Mandela Bay as an ideal holiday and business destination.
 
Tourism in the city plays an essential role in the social and economical development of our area. The aim is to not only benefit tourists but also impact on the quality of life and sustainable benefits for all people.

NMBT's aim is to transform and facilitate empowerment as well as to broaden access to the tourism industry for tourists, product owners and private sector. NMBT strives toward an integrated, coordinated, consolidated, entrepreneurial, sustainable and responsible tourism industry – with its members at the core of the industry.
 
Some other member benefits include:

• Free Listing on NMBT’s website www.nmbt.co.za (member can access their own page using their unique member login & password)
• Free Nightsbridge room management software that will enable accommodation facilities to manage availability on NMBT’s website for online bookings 24/7.
• Display of brochures in NMBT’s Visitor Information Centres at Donkin Reserve, Airport, The Boardwalk, Uitenhage or head office in South End.
• Media Site Visit Exposure: Host visiting journalists, feature writers and editors on media visits, which creates exposure and marketing platforms for the destination and members.
• Member Functions: Access to member functions such as workshops, networking sessions and educational awareness sessions.
• Monthly electronic newsletter may be used as a communication tool to update members on information about current tourism-related news

 
For more information about membership with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism you can:
Visit:  http://www.nmbt.co.za/membership2.html
Download the application form from http://www.nmbt.co.za/downloads.html
Contact the NMBT membership coordinator on 041-5822575 or e-mail membership@nmbt.co.za for further assistance.

Members had the following to say:

“I thoroughly enjoy being part of NMBT. Based on my experience or “working” relationship with NMBT I only have glowing reports about them. Whenever I’ve needed clarity on something they have been willing and able to, if not help directly, point me in the right direction at the very least. Something I am very grateful and thankful for. I have found the staff willing to go the extra mile when you ask for assistance,” said tour operator and owner of Mosaic Tours, Craig Duffield. Duffield commented on the extent of exposure his company has received by being part of NMBT, “It has been fantastic, we are featured everywhere – the website and all the various Tourism offices in our Metro. The ongoing training opportunities as a result of various workshops and the great ‘product’ information as a result of the educational outings have been very valuable.”

KweKwe sports tavern owner, Eric Mazwai, believes that membership serves as an endorsement to travellers, “NMBT provides information on my tavern to local and international people – I enjoy seeing all types of tourists coming into the tavern. Being a member really does better my business; I especially like the fact that as a member I can be part of the NMBT Visitors Guide and other brochures.”

Amita Bhana, Marketing Executive for Pine Lodge Resort and The Hub Boutique Hotel said that she believes that there are many benefits to being a member of NMBT - from meeting and networking with other products within the industry to the exposure members enjoy through brochure display and information dissemination to visitors and locals at the various strategically placed visitor information centres in the city.  She also highlighted the benefit of access to information via platforms created by NMBT such as the recent Tourism Safety Workshop.  “It is however important to remember that the onus remain on us as members to maintain regular contact with NMBT and to be involved – one only gets out what you put in” Bhana added.